Making a difference in older person’s health
The number of older people in New Zealand is growing rapidly. Most people aged 65+ years are fit and healthy, but a minority are frail or vulnerable and require high levels of care and disability support. These increased needs usually arise during the last few years of life, or from chronic illness or disability that may have been present for many years.
Te Mana Ora | Community and Public Health is therefore committed to ensuring positive health outcomes for older people in our region. South Canterbury is the only South Island region with more than 15 percent of their population aged over 65.
It is predicted that more than one in 5 people in NZ will be aged over 65 by 2031 and of these one in 8 people will be aged 85 or older. Of significance over the coming decades is the growing proportion of older Māori, Pacific and Asian peoples as well as other ethnic groups.
Change to maximum contributions for long-term aged residential care
The Director-General of Health has determined the maximum contribution that applies in each region for long-term aged residential care – under section 53 of the Residential Care and Disability Support Services Act 2018.
The maximum contribution is the maximum weekly amount (inclusive of GST) that a resident assessed as requiring long-term residential care is required to pay for contracted care services provided to them in the region where their rest home or continuing care hospital is located.
The maximum contribution is the same for all residents regardless of the type of contracted care services they receive. It is equivalent to the rest home contract price applying to residential care facilities in each region.
The maximum contribution will change on 1st September 2024.
- Find out the new maximum contribution for residential aged care in your region (Ministry of Health).
Supporting the health and wellbeing of kaumātua in Canterbury
Te Mana Ora | Community and Public Health have set up both monthly Health Hubs and Health Clinics for kaumātua or elders and the wider community to access in Canterbury. A steady stream of kaumātua make good use of the information, resources and advice that is on offer. Kaumātua are empowering themselves, developing awareness and taking responsible action for their own health and wellbeing needs. This includes getting medication advice and having checks for blood pressure, hearing, vision or other medical conditions.
Often further medical care is recommended to address concerns raised by the health checks, such as GP follow-up or specialist referrals. All the Hubs and Clinics include whanaungatanga and laughter over a cup of tea.
“Life without a car” booklet launched
Age Concern New Zealand and Driving Miss Daisy released a valuable resource to significantly benefit our country’s older non-driving population.
The “Life without a car” booklet is designed to empower older people and their families with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about transportation, and mobility options.
The booklet offers practical guidance, tips, and resources for people who may no longer drive or choose not to own a car. It covers topics such as:
- Alternative transportation options, including community transport services;
- Staying socially connected and engaged in the community;
- Managing groceries, medical appointments, and other essential tasks; and
- Safety considerations and tips for pedestrians and passengers.
Changes to paid whānau and family care for older people and others
More people can receive paid care from whānau or family members – as a result of recent funding changes. Previously whānau or family members could only be paid as caregivers for people assessed as having high, or very high needs.
Caregivers providing support for whānau or family members who have low or medium needs can now also be compensated for their time and effort.
Health New Zealand funds this support for:
- older people;
- those with chronic health conditions; or
- people with mental health or addiction issues living in the community.
Visit the Health New Zealand website for more information on paid care support, or talk to your family doctor.
Documents
- Amplifying The Voices Of Older People Across Aotearoa New Zealand (Age Care Commissioner 2024).
- Briefing to the Incoming Minister (Office for Seniors 2023).
- Older people experiencing vulnerability and multiple disadvantage in New Zealand: A report on the needs of older people (65+) in health, housing, finance, social connection and access (Social Wellbeing Agency 2023).
- Te Ara Whakapiri: Principles and guidance for the last days of life (Te Whatu Ora 2023).
- Impact of COVID-19 on the wellbeing of older people in Aotearoa New Zealand (Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission 2022).
- Six Principles for Safe Visiting and Social Activities in Aged Residential Care (Ministry of Health 2022).
- Older Workers Employment Action Plan (Office for Seniors 2022).
- Better Later Life – He Oranga Kaumātua Action Plan 2021 to 2024 (Office for Seniors 2021).
- Attitudes towards ageing 2021 (Office for Seniors).
- Planning for older people’s mental wellbeing (Te Pou 2021).
- Age friendly Aotearoa New Zealand Toolkit (Office for Seniors 2020).
- Enabling Spaces: Supporting older people who hoard in Canterbury (Canterbury DHB 2020 – 6MB).
- Longer, Healthier Lives: New Zealand’s Health 1990–2017 (Ministry of Health 2020).
- Better Later Life – He Oranga Kaumātua 2019 to 2034 (Office for Seniors 2019).
- Long-term Residential Care for Older People: What you need to know (Ministry of Health 2019).
- The drinking patterns of older New Zealanders: National and international Comparisons (Health Promotion Agency 2017).
- Healthy Ageing Strategy (Ministry of Health 2016).
- Towards gaining a greater understanding of Elder Abuse and Neglect in New Zealand (Office for Senior Citizens 2015).
- 2014 Report on the Positive Ageing Strategy (Ministry of Social Development).
- Alcohol use in advanced age: Findings from LiLACS NZ (University of Auckland 2014).
Downloads
Download or order resources from the Community Health Information Centre.
- Ageing Well.
- Eating for Healthy Older People.
- What is a Stroke? (NZ Stroke Foundation).
- Alcohol and Older People (Health Promotion Agency).
- Depression in later life – formerly Late life depression (Mental Health Foundation).
- Looking out for one another: Social isolation and loneliness (Office for Senior Citizens).
Links
- Community Transport Services in Christchurch/Canterbury (AgeConcern).
- Aged Care Commmissioner (Health and Disability Commission).
- Office for Seniors (Ministry of Social Development).
- Eldernet.
- Age Concern Canterbury – has branches covering South Canterbury and West Coast.
For more information, contact:
CANTERBURY
Harata Franks
Ph: +64 3 364 1777
Contacts for more information:
CANTERBURY
Older Person’s Health Specialist Service (Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury)
Ph: +64 3 337 7899
Age Concern (Canterbury)
Ph: +64 3 366 0903
Elder Care Canterbury
Ph: +64 3 366 5472
MID CANTERBURY
Age Concern (Ashburton)
Ph: +64 3 308 6817
SOUTH CANTERBURY
Age Concern (South Canterbury)
Ph: +64 3 686 6844
Contact the Elder Abuse Response Service if you are concerned about elder abuse:
- Call the FREE helpline 0800 EA NOT OK (0800 32 668 65);
- Text 5032; or
- Email support[at]elderabuse.nz
Staying Safe: Refresher courses for older drivers
Age Concern offers FREE refresher courses for senior drivers all over New Zealand to help keep older people safe on the roads – with support from Waka Kotahi | NZ Transport Agency.
The theory-based refresher course is an opportunity for people to re-familiarise themselves with traffic rules and safe driving practices in a friendly and relaxed environment with other older drivers. The course includes information on other transport options available to help keep you mobile for as long as possible – whether behind the wheel or when you stop driving.
Contact one of the following to find out more information on Staying Safe courses in your area:
- your local Age Concern office; or
- the road safety coordinator at your local council.
Shingles vaccine for older adults
Shingles is a painful rash affecting a particular nerve. It is a long term effect of chickenpox many years after people recover from the disease.
Shingles usually occurs in older people and lasts from 10 to 15 days. The nerve pain can last long after the rash disappears.
A vaccine against shingles (Zostavax) is now free at age 65 in New Zealand.
- Find out more about shingles including the Zostavax vaccine (Ministry of Health).
Advance Care Planning: Having conversations that count
Advance Care Planning (ACP) is the process of thinking about, talking about and planning for future health care and end of life care.
Advance care planning gives everyone a chance to say what’s important to them. It helps older people understand what the future might hold and to say what treatment they would and would not want.
This makes it much easier for families and healthcare providers to know what the person would want – particularly if they can no longer speak for themselves.
- Order resources on advance care planning if you are in Canterbury, South Canterbury or West Coast.
- Get more information on advance care planning (HealthInfo).
- Find out more about advance care plans, including templates and online guides (National Advance Care Planning Cooperative NZ).
- Read or watch stories about having an advance care plan.
